How can Qatar be serious about hosting an international sporting event when at the same time it's busy closing down places like Garvey's and the Rugby Club?

On the one hand you have one group of Qataris trying to attact international tourists and high profile events, and at the same time you have a conservative group of people closing bars, shutting down community groups, and demolishing things like Palm Tree Island, Ras Al Nassah, and so on.

Flan is right. The millions and millions that will be spent on the bid will be pissed up against a wall. Another total waste of money.